Christina Bourmpou is an incoming freshman at Yale and is currently set to race in the Greek W2- at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
After trying many different sports like swimming, tennis, dancing, and track and field, my father introduced me to rowing. He was a rower when he was younger and loved it. I actually still remember everything from my first session. I remember entering our club's gym were all the senior team was rowing. I loved the passion, the team spirit, and the dedication they had for what they were doing. After that, my coach insisted I try to row a bit. As soon as I held the grip in my hand I knew deep inside that I was going to give my everything in this sport.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
For me, it was a conversation after an evaluation test for the national team. I was being tested for the junior team and after the end of it, I was disappointed from my times. My coach spoke to me for many hours reassuring me that my results where really good and that in the future I was going to be representing my county in the Olympics. He couldn't tell in which Olympics I was going to compete, but he was sure. He was the one who motivated me to work harder every day to be selected for the national team.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
My best race was in semifinals of the 2019 U23 World Championships in Sarasota, and we managed to break the world record. I will never forget the feeling, the flow of the boat, and the fantastic rhythm that me and my teammate were able to maintain until the end of the race.
My worst race was an international regatta in Italy in with I was racing in a pair. I would call it the worst not based on the result, but my feeling. In spring we usually make different combinations to find the best crews, and in the previous months I was mostly in a double, so it was really difficult for me to race in the pair.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
Last year in Greece from mid-March until the end of May, we had a really strict lockdown. Everything was shut down including gyms and clubs. I had to train on my erg in my living room three times per day, and do weight lifting on my balcony with no psychological or physical support. It was on the most difficult challenge I have had to overcome.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
You don't need to be an incredible talent. As Tim Notke said, 'Hard work beats talent.' I work by this saying. You just need to have passion, dedication, and a lot of will power to be able to reach your limit and love this sport.
Home Town: Thessaloniki, GRE
Date of Birth: October 21, 2001
Height: 5'9"
National Teams: Seven - Junior, 2016-18; Under 23, 2018-19; Senior, 2019; Olympic, 2020
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